My chicken and rice casserole recipe is the ultimate in quick, hearty chicken recipes! There always seems to be a night when the whole family wants comfort food and I’m short on time and energy. This is my go-to recipe. It literally takes 10 minutes to put together before you pop it in the oven.
Enter: chicken casserole recipes! I can’t tell you how many times one-dish meals like my chicken and rice casserole recipe have saved me. I’m able to bring a full meal to my family in one easy go!
If you love cozy, comforting dinners like my Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Chicken Divan, or a warm bowl of Chicken and Rice Soup, you’re going to adore this recipe. And if you’re looking for even more easy, family-friendly meal ideas, be sure to browse my full Chicken Dinner Recipes—it’s packed with recipes you’ll make again and again.
Let’s make this chicken and rice!
What I Love About This Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
- 10-minute prep.
- One dish + Easy cleanup!
- Perfectly cooked chicken in a creamy sauce.
- Crowd-pleasing comfort food!
Chicken and Rice Casserole Ingredients:
- Cream of Chicken, Celery, and Mushroom Soup: This recipe uses one can of each. I love the flavor of the 3 soups combined. You can switch it up and use any combo of “cream of” soups you’d like.
- Water: I use plain ol’ tap. We need this liquid for everything to cook properly.
- Milk: I use whole milk.
- Poultry Seasoning: This is a dried seasoning mix that generally contains a combo of sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, onion powder, and nutmeg. I think it’s the perfect blend to complement and enhance the flavors of the casserole.
- Thyme: Although the poultry season also contains thyme, I like to add a little extra.
- Garlic Powder: To round out the herb flavor profile.
- Pepper: Black pepper, preferably freshly ground.
- Butter: I use unsalted but you can switch it for salt.
- Instant Rice: This recipe is written using Instant white rice. If you switch it, the results will not be the same.
- Chicken: I use boneless chicken breasts, but boneless chicken thighs will also work. You will need to adjust the cooking time.
- Cheese: I like sharp shredded cheddar cheese but any type you like can be used. You can use whatever cheese you prefer. Colby jack or mozzarella work well.
Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe Notes
- Instant Rice: What exactly is instant rice and why is it so great in a meal like this? Instant rice is actually rice that has been fully cooked and then dehydrated. So instead of having to cook your rice mixture, what you’re really doing is rehydrating it. That’s why it finishes much quicker than normal rice and is great for fast dishes like this one!
- This is the only rice I use in this recipe. Don’t switch it for long-grain, or the like, because the ratios and cooking times won’t work properly.
- Add More Vegetables: I like to mix in 1 cup of thawed frozen mixed vegetables or just peas into the casserole before baking.
Storing + Freezing + Reheating
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Once cooked and cooled, your cheesy chicken rice casserole will last up to four days in the fridge. But be sure you store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator! You can microwave leftovers to heat them up.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes! The best way to freeze this chicken and rice casserole with cream of mushroom soup is to fully cook it first. You can freeze it raw, but you risk some yucky things happening with the raw chicken during prep/thawing. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
- Once cooked, thoroughly cool your casserole and attach your baking dish’s lid. If you don’t have a lid, you can use plastic wrap. Here’s the right way to wrap in a plastic…and YES, it really matters! Then pop it in your freezer, where it’ll be just fine for four to six months!
- Make-Ahead: My chicken and rice casserole recipe is the epitome of no-time-gotta-get-it-in-the-oven-NOW. You whip together all the ingredients right in the pan! Easy, right?
- If you want to speed the process up you can always mix together your creamy sauce ingredients. When you’re ready, pour it and the chicken + rice into your pan.
Serving Recommendations
This creamy and cheesy dish with tender chicken is delicious with my crunchy, sweet, and slightly tangy KFC coleslaw. My cathead biscuits, Bisquick biscuits, crescent rolls, or Lion House rolls are the perfect accompaniment! If you’re looking for more delicious veggies to serve, try our Southern style green beans, crack green beans, sticky-sweet brown sugar carrots, roasted broccoli, or my bright tangy broccoli salad with amazing homemade orange dressing!
How To Make Chicken And Rice Casserole
- In a 9X13 inch casserole dish stir together all the ingredients until smooth.
- Stir in rice and chicken until well mixed. Sprinkle cheese evenly over top.
- Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked for about 70 minutes.
- Let cool for 10 minutes then sprinkle top with parsley or green onions to garnish.
***See Full Instructions On The Recipe Below
More Delicious Chicken Casseroles
- No Peek Chicken
- Mexican Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Chicken Tortilla Casserole
- Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
- Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Chicken and Potato Casserole
- Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Melt In Your Mouth Chicken
TRIED THIS RECIPE?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken and rice casserole bakes is the superhero for your mad-dash nights with creamy sauce, juicy chicken, and fluffy rice!
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of celery soup
- 1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 cups Instant Rice
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- In a 9x13-inch baking dish stir together the cream of chicken soup (1 can), cream of celery soup (1 can), cream of mushroom soup (1 can), water (1 cup), milk (1 cup), poultry seasoning (1/4 teaspoon), dried thyme (1/4 teaspoon), garlic powder (1/4 teaspoon), black pepper (1/2 teaspoon), and cooled melted butter (1/2 cup) until smooth. Stir in rice (2 cups) and chicken (3) until well mixed. Sprinkle cheese (1 cup) evenly over top.
- Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked about 70 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes then sprinkle top with parsley or green onions to garnish. Serve.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Instant Rice: What exactly is instant rice and why is it so great in a meal like this? Instant rice is actually rice that has been fully cooked and then dehydrated. So instead of having to cook your rice, what you’re really doing is rehydrating it. That’s why it finishes much quicker than normal rice and is great for fast dishes like this one!
- This is the only rice I use in this recipe. Don’t switch it for long-grain, or the like, because the ratios and cooking times won’t work properly.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6 of the recipe | Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 924mg | Potassium: 310mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 744IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 195mg | Iron: 2mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I'D LOVE TO SEE!Tag @GonnaWantSeconds or #gonnawantseconds on Instagram!
© Gonna Want Seconds. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media/website/blog is strictly prohibited.
We love chicken and we love rice, My daughter and her friend came over for dinner, they loved it!
Yaaay! Perfect perfect!! Thanks Ashley 🙂
Can this be frozen prior to cooking? If so, should I thaw it before baking?
Hi, Lynne. It’s not advisable to freeze this before cooking. The best way is to cook this first. Enjoy!
what is instant rice I did not see anything at the store that said instant rice. Is there a brand name? thanks
Hi, Agreso, instant rice is precooked rice. The most popular brand is the Minute. There’s also Great Value instant rice, and Uncle Ben’s. Hope this helps!
what is instant rice I did not see anything at the store that said instant rice. Is there a brand name?
Minute Rice is one brand. 🙂
what is instant rice I did not see anything at the store that said instant rice. Is there a brand name?
Hi, Linda! Instant rice is like dehydrated rice that makes it cook faster. There are different brands, but I use Minute White Rice. I hope this helps! <3
How long and what temp do I reheat this at if frozen?
Thaw in the fridge overnight. Place cold dish on counter for half an hour then reheat at 350 until heated through.